Ear Problems in Children

Children are more susceptible to infections and diseases during their initial stages. That is because their bodies start to build antibodies and learn to combat against various diseases. Hence, in the beginning they are seen to get measles, chickenpox, mumps, etc. In their childhood, they get these diseases just once, and in majority of the cases they don't contact it thereafter. Well, I remember myself getting chickenpox when I was in kindergarten, and since then I haven't been a victim of it again! What happens is the body starts to develop a defense mechanism against these, and once it has learned how to combat these diseases, in future even if they get infected by these diseases, they automatically shield the body to protect or lessen the effect of the infection.

Ear Problems in Children

As per statistics, almost 93% of the children in the U.S. below 7 years of age get an ear infection at least once. Ear infection can be easily diagnosed and treated. It is easy to recognize the symptoms of it, as your child may complain of a earache. Whenever this happens, do not ignore the condition and immediately seek medical advice. If ignored, it may hamper your child's listening skills and learning abilities.

Middle ear infection is known as otitis media, can be found in babies and young children as they are more prone to it. It is a condition in which children often experience ear pain and deafness. What happens is fluids or pus gets accumulated behind the eardrum, in the ear canal. It is natural for these eardrums to burst on their own. It then releases these fluids hence relieving the child. It has a natural ability to heal on its own. Hence, most of the time, these ear infections get cured on their own without treatment. But then in severe cases, you may require to see a doctor. The doctors most of the time, make use of an antibiotic to treat it. After the middle ear infection, a state called 'glue ear' may develop, which is a condition in which thick fluid gets filled up in the ear.

Causes
In most cases, causes of ear infection in children are either viral or bacterial infection. Any kind of complication in the respiratory tract can also add to the causes list. It may later lead to earache or hearing loss. Because of this infection, children can experience inflammation in the middle ear, which is a middle ear infection. This may later get promoted to develop the 'glue ear' condition. We had spoken about rupturing of the eardrum releasing the fluid. It normally takes about 3-4 days to absorb the fluid. Once absorbed, hearing would return to normal.

An infection is not always the cause of ear problems. There may be few other reasons too for it to develop. Like a head injury, maternal complication during pregnancy, meningitis, presence of any foreign body in the ear leading to infection, genetics, etc. Few other generic causes includes accumulation of earwax, cold, sore throat, runny nose, changes in the air pressure, etc.

Symptoms
Symptoms of ear infections are easy to recognize, fever and pain being the most common. Since children won't be able to express it precisely, you may pick up clues like your child getting irritated, pulling of ears, deafness, etc. If you happen to see a discharge coming out of the ear, it means that the eardrum has burst.

Treatment
It is best to visit a doctor and get it examined from them. Though you may be advised by few people to give your kid a painkiller or an antibiotic, which may help, the best thing would be to consult an expert like a doctor to avoid complications later. The doctor will examine the ear and can also look into the ear by specific instruments and administer treatment accordingly.

Mostly the priority in treating of ear problems involves relieving pain. When you take your child to the doctor, he may administer a mild pain reliever or an antibiotic for it. For a earache, the doctor may prescribe an ear drop for your child. At home, take proper care of your child. Encourage your child to play indoors and maintain a quiet atmosphere. You may indulge in applying heat to your child's ear with a heating pad before letting him go to bed.

It is essentially important as a parent to keep a watch on your kid to analyze and pick up clues of any medical urgency. Though ear problems in children may be common, but then it is vital for it to be diagnosed and treated as early as possible to avoid potential complications in the future.